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Republican leaders react to Maine Wire report on welfare abuse

House Republican Leaders Ken Fredette of Newport (right) and Alex Willette of Mapelton

AUGUSTA – Top Republicans reacted to The Maine Wire’s exclusive report on the scope of welfare abuse in Maine with renewed calls for welfare reform in Augusta.

“I am disappointed but not surprised by this information,” said House Minority Leader Ken Fredette (R-Newport). “We hear about this kind of welfare fraud and abuse from our neighbors and constituents all the time, but it was always dismissed by many on the left as anecdotal.”

Fredette said he would like to think the revelation of widespread welfare abuse will finally convince Democrats to support reforms to our welfare system.

“But I’ve thought that too many times before only to see them defend the status quo,” he said. “I hope that my Democratic colleagues will prove me wrong and join us in enacting commonsense reforms on a bipartisan basis.”

Also on Tuesday, Republican Gov. Paul LePage announced that his own investigation into Maine’s cash welfare program, known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), has revealed welfare spending at bars, liquor stores, smoke shops and strip clubs.

The Maine Wire has obtained a massive collection of public records related to Maine’s TANF program and will be reporting further details in the coming days. Stay tuned for updates.